Need to Refresh The Kitchen? Add Some Color to Your Cabinets!

For many people, kitchens serve as the epicenter of their family lives. It’s where meals are prepared and eaten, it’s where homework gets done, and it’s even where families gather to celebrate. If your kitchen is looking a little tired, adding some color could give it the refresh it needs. Here are some ideas to help you get started.

The Benefits Of A Kitchen Refresh Over A Complete Remodel 

If you are trying to decide whether a kitchen refresh is right for you, it’s helpful to consider the differences between a refresh and a complete remodel. A kitchen refresh is designed to provide your kitchen space with a new aesthetic look. It might include new colors, patterns, or textures that improve the overall appearance of the kitchen. On the other hand, a kitchen remodel will involve completely replacing everything from the cabinets to the countertops, which is ideal when they need extensive repairs or when they don’t provide the functionality you need. 

When you want your kitchen to look fresh and clean - or when you simply want your kitchen to more accurately reflect your own personal sense of style, a kitchen refresh is the way to go. It costs half as much as a full remodel and it takes about a third of the time, and you’ll have full use of your kitchen throughout the process. The average kitchen remodel costs between $20,000 and $30,000, but with some paint and a new backsplash, you can get the updated look you want without the hefty price tag. 

Expert Advice For Changing The Look Of Your Kitchen

A kitchen refresh doesn’t have to be a simple coat of paint. In fact, there are several interesting and unique ways to breathe new life into your kitchen without breaking the bank. 

Sick of Neutrals? Pick a Semi-Neutral! - Most homeowners tend to stick to neutral colors for their kitchen cabinets. These include white, off-white, gray, black, and even woodgrain. Though these colors are beautiful in their own right, they can become boring with time. If you want to refresh your kitchen, try a semi-neutral color instead. Colors like deep navy blue and hunter green are perfect examples of this. They are almost neutral, so they pair well with virtually any decor, but they also offer just a hint of interest via their color. 

A Little Something Different - Homeowners often make the mistake of thinking that their kitchen cabinets need to be white, black, or woodgrain - with no leeway in between. Though the semi-neutral colors above are always a great option, there’s no reason why you can’t be even bolder. Deep mustard yellow is one of the most popular colors out there right now, and it can even work for your kitchen cabinets! You can pair it with gold or black hardware, and for color coordination, consider options like navy blue and metallic gold. 

Colorful Stains - If you like the look of your cabinets’ natural woodgrain but you also want to add some color to your kitchen space, there are numerous colored stains on the market that can give you the best of both worlds. Though some can be difficult to style, adding a stain that provides just a hint of red or even purple can add depth or dimension to your space. When you pair it with coordinating hardware, the possibilities are too many to mention. You can also find stains in shades of gold, blue, or even green. 

Limewash - When you think of limewashing, you probably think of the exterior of a brick home or even fencing. Believe it or not, it’s possible to limewash your kitchen cabinets, too! Though best left to professionals, limewashed (or cerused) cabinets add unique interest to cabinets made from oak, maple, and other hardwoods. It creates a unique rustic finish that is both rustic and contemporary, and it is difficult to achieve in any other way. If you want to brighten up a dark kitchen or make your small space look larger, limewashing might be an excellent option. 

There are numerous ways to refresh your kitchen by adding color to your cabinetry. From semi-neutrals to bold colors, and from stains to limewashing, there is certainly no shortage of opportunities to turn your kitchen into a space that reflects your personality and your taste.